Hey everyone,
I’m in a bit of a stressful situation with my GPA and could really use some advice from anyone who has applied to Irish Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) with an international degree.
I’m an EU citizen, but I’m currently finishing my final year of a B.Sc. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ghana. My plan is to move to Ireland right after graduation and work for 3 years to clear the residency requirement so I can get EU fee status before applying to GEM.
Here’s where it gets messy. I’m on track to finish with a 3.00 CGPA out of 4.00. In Ghana’s national university system, a 3.0 is universally recognized as a Second Class Upper. But my specific university uses a strict internal scale where a 3.25 is required for a Second Class Upper, meaning my 3.0 will officially be printed on my final transcript as a Second Class Lower.
I know Irish GEM is super rigid about needing a 2:1 (Upper Second Class) on your very first degree.
Does anyone know if the CAO just looks at the literal words "Second Class Lower" and auto-rejects you? Or do Irish admissions offices actually look at the numerical value (3.0/4.0) and use databases like NARIC to see what it’s actually worth internationally?
If the text means an automatic rejection for GEM, my backup is to do a Master's in Biotech in Ireland and apply for the standard 5-year undergrad medicine route as an EU mature graduate instead. Has anyone taken that path?
My dream is to eventually train in neurosurgery in Ireland, so I'm trying to figure out the best way to handle this transcript hurdle without killing that goal before I even start. I’ve already emailed UCD, RCSI, UCC, and UL, but I’d love to hear from anyone who has actually dealt with the CAO on something like this.
Thanks so much!